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A HEART SPRINKLED FROM AN EVIL CONSCIENCE (II)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26
Hebrews 10:19-22

Hebrews 10:26-31

 

“Let us draw near with a true heart

in full assurance of faith…”

 

A HEART SPRINKLED FROM AN EVIL CONSCIENCE (II)
 
In Hebrews 10:19-22, the writer draws out the benefits of such a heart. We have “boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb 10:19). Though in ourselves guilty sinners, absolutely barred from the presence of the thrice-holy God, once sprinkled by that precious blood we can come with boldness. This is that “full assurance of faith” of which the writer speaks (v 22), that we rest not in our own works, but in Christ’s. Just as nothing we did could ever have qualified us to approach God; so also, if we come in Christ, we have confidence that nothing we have ever done can disqualify us. Everything depends on Him!
 
In Christ, we have complete freedom of access to the throne of grace. Let not the devil rob you of this liberty with his fiery darts of doubt! Raise up the shield of faith to quench those attacks! To quote the words of the well-known hymn: “My faith has found a resting place, from guilt my soul is freed; I trust the ever-living One, his wounds for me shall plead. I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me” (Hewitt).
 
But such is the craft of the devil that he tries to pull us to both sides of the path. If we will not stray to the right, he will come from the left. Thus the writer, after speaking of the blessedness purchased for us by the blood of Christ, must still go on to warn of the “much sorer punishment” awaiting the one “who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace” (v 29).
 
Dear reader, we must remember that our boldness of access to God can  never be confused with frivolity. It is, after all, “a fearful thing to fall into the  hands of the living God” (v 31). A heart sprinkled from an evil conscience is not only a heart that flies with joyful confidence to the Father in heaven ‒ it is also a heart that trembles at the thought of displeasing the Lord, and endeavours to serve Him patiently, without ceasing, resisting the allures and temptations of the world.
 
THOUGHT: The throne of grace is still a most holy place.

PRAYER: Father, help me to be holy, as Thou art holy.

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